TripleCross Solution

This solution makes references to sequences that are described here. In order to solve the puzzle manually, you need to memorize those moves.

I have marked the tiles on my puzzle uniquely, like this:

    AB
CDEFGHI
JKLMNOP
 QR
This makes the puzzle more difficult to solve than with the factory markings. This solution describes how to solve the puzzle with unique markings, but if you can figure out how the solution works, solving the puzzle with factory markings should be easier.

Stage 1

I solve the dome tiles (H, I, O and P).

To do this, first I move any two dome tiles into positions I and P.

Next, I move the other two dome tiles into the right side of the puzzle.

Next, I move the other two dome tiles into positions H and O.

Now I put the dome tiles, which are in the correct positions, into the correct order.

Stage 2

I solve the J, K, Q and R tiles.

There are several variations on how I do this, but here is the most common way.

Make sure that tiles J, K, Q and R are are not in positions J, K or Q. If they are, you can use sequence JKQRM to move them out. Next, move tile J to position R and tile K to position M. If both tiles are in the central positions (A, E, F, G, L, M, N or R), then you can do this with moves AGMLE and RLFGN. If the tiles are in positions D or B, you can use move BGFED to move them to central positions. If the tiles are in position C, you can use CDEFM to move them to a central position. If the tiles are in position N, you can use LNMGA to move them to a central position. None of these sequences will disturb tiles H, I, O or P, which you have already solved.

Next perform sequence MRQKJ twice.

Move tile Q to position R and tile R to position M. You can use the same techniques that you used to move tiles J and K to these positions.

Perform sequence MRQKJ.

Stage 3

Solve tile C.

If tile C is in position M, perform move CDEFM.

If tile C is in position D, perform move MFEDC.

If tile C is in position E, you can either perform sequence MFEDC twice, or you can perform sequence ELMGA twice, followed by move CDEFM. Your decision should be based on how these moves affect the other tiles.

Stage 4

Solve tiles B, D, E, and F.

First, make sure that tiles B, D, E, and F are in positions L, M, N, G or A.

Next, repeat the following sequence for tiles B, D, E and F (in order):

  1. Use sequence LMNGA to move the tile to position G.
  2. Perform sequence BGFED.
B, D, E and F will now be solved.

Stage 5

Solve the LMNGA tiles

I look within LMNGA for three adjacent tiles to cycle.

If I need to cycle the three tiles forward, I use the LMNGA cycle to put the three tiles in LMN, then do a LNMGA cycle.

If I need to cycle the three tiles backward, I use the LMNGA cycle to put the three tiles in MNG, then do a AGMNL cycle.

Finally, I do an LMNGA cycle to solve the puzzle.

The way I determine which three tiles to cycle is to look within the LMNGA tiles for two adjacent tiles that belong next to each other, then I cycle the other three. Sometimes it ends up that there are no adjacent tiles within the LMNGA cycle and I have to do this twice.

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